Simplifying Rational Expressions

Topics for Today:

We will now encounter polynomials in our fractions.  A rational expression is just a ratio (fraction) with polynomials in the numerator and denominator.  When we want to simplify these fractions, we follow the same rules as regular fractions: we need to divide common factors from the numerator and denominator.  To simplify, we need to look at the greatest common factor (GCF) as well as other factoring tools.  We will factor both the numerator and denominator, and then see if we have any common factors that simplify to 1.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

12-3: Simplifying Rational Expressions (pages 652-656)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) What is a rational expression?
2) Simplify Rational Expressions by factoring
3) Simplifying Rational Expressions by using opposite binomials
4) Simplifying Rational Expressions Class Notes